My black sex link (Black Star) is almost 6 years old and she takes a 2 day break every 2 weeks. She even lays eggs during molt, only taking 4-5 days off. Edited: You're right woodmort, weather doesnt make a difference.

Quote:I understand all these are good layers but they are not true breeds but are hybred chickens. They were developed as "production layers". If I understand correctly these type chickens produce like mad for a year and are pretty well burned out after that. If you want to raise your own chicks these will not reproduce true to the parents. I am a firm believer that for the backyard or mini-farm small flock grower there are no better brown egg layers than the Black Australorp and the Buff Orpington. They are good year-round layers and very laid-back chickens. When raised from day-old chicks they become tame and great natured pets. We do have other breeds (silver-laced Wyandotte and Welsummers) but if we had to start over it would be Australorp and Orpington and forget the rest.

I guess it all depends on what you want in a flock. Factory-line production machine birds or a flock of layers that give you a lot of pleasure and companionship while producing you plenty of good food for several years.